Composition for disinfection of plants animals humans byproducts of plants and animals and articles infected with pathogens and method of producing and application of same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a composition and method of providing ionic forms or compounds of any combination of three metals to produce a product that can be used as a antimicrobial as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) such as a hard surface disinfectant and as a foliar spray or water treatment for the control of various diseases in garden row, field and tree crops, on hard surface areas such as equipment from infected fields or in hospitals, homes, etc. as well as against a wide range of human, plant and animal diseases. Additionally, the composition of the present invention is able to be used to coat and otherwise treat and disinfect food products such as but not limited to fish and shellfish, meat, milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops (both food and nonfood crops) as well as non food products as defined in the EPA exemption from tolerance for copper and copper products. The composition may include inerts such as surfactants, detergents and buffers to adjust the pH. The composition remains soluble in water and is useful efficacious against the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi and other pathogens within a source of water such as a reservoir or pool. Alternatively, the composition may be in aerosolized, misted, vaporized, fogged, humidified forms to produce micronized particles which are able to remain in suspension in the air for long periods of time in order to act on air-borne fungal spores and/or pathogens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to fungicides, including but notlimited to bacteriacides, and more particularly to new techniques fordisinfection of plants, animals, humans, by products of plants andanimals and articles infected with pathogens using unique formulationsand methods of application of ionic copper and copper compoundsincluding copper sulfate pentahydrate and other copper salts alone orionic silver alone and silver compounds including silver sulfate andother silver salts alone and ionic gold alone and gold compoundsincluding gold sulfate and other gold salts alone and combinations ofionic copper, ionic silver and ionic gold and copper, silver and goldcompounds. The above invention is used with or without inert ingredientssuch as surfactants and/or detergents to enhance the efficiency of theinvention.

2. Background of the Invention

Plant and animal diseases, including but not limited to viruses,bacteria, fungi and other pathogens have plagued mankind for centuries.There are several mechanical, chemical and biological tools and methodsof application of these tools that manage diseases, but most have majordraw-backs that limit use of the technology.

Many kinds of substances have a deleterious effect on microorganisms.Antimicrobial substances have two kinds of activity, the first beingbacterial, germicidal or virucidal and effective against other organismssuch as slime, molds, etc. and other microorganisms; and the other beingbacteriostatic, fungicidal, or growth-inhibiting. Antimicrobial activityis a property of both inorganic and organic substances, and theexploitation of such activity is a matter of considerable practicalimportance in the development of antiseptics, sanitizers, germicides,bactericides, sporicides, virucides, disinfectants and others.

A number of inorganic substances have antimicrobial activity because ofthe toxicity to the ions into which they dissociate or because of theiractivity as oxidizing agents which brings about some degree of oxidationof cell substance. Among the inorganic substances which act asantimicrobial agents are salts and other radicals attached to metals.The degrees to which salts are effective as toxic agents are mainlydependent upon the degree of dissociation of the salt and otherradicals, the nature of the anion, and the valence and molecular weightof the metallic ion. In general, the bivalent cations, which are moretoxic than the monovalent cations, and the salts and other radicalsincluding oxides of the heavier metals are more toxic than those of thelighter metals. The antimicrobial activity of the heavy metal salts andother radicals are attributed to the affinity of the cations for proteinmaterial. When the constituent protein of the bacterial cell isprecipitated as an insoluble proteinate, the cell dies. However, otherfactors may also be involved that are not totally understood and arebeing investigated. The free ions of the metals copper, silver and goldgive positive results when used alone. Additionally, experimentsdemonstrate a synergy between the ions of these metals when used incombinations. Greater efficacy is achieved through the use ofsurfactants and/or detergents and other additives such as buffers toadjust the pH of the finished formulation and/or ionic properties of theproduct.

The processes of effecting bacterial growth-inhibition or death aresubject to a variety of influences. The most important of theseinfluences is the concentration of the reacting substances, i.e.,concentration of the biocidal substance and the numbers of bacteriapresent. The effective concentration of a biocidal substance is, inturn, dependent upon primarily two other factors: first, the presence ofmoisture, which makes possible ionization of the substance to form thebiocidal agent and acts as a suspending medium in which there may beintimate contact between the biocidal agent and the microorganism.Second, the presence of extraneous organic and/or other matter whichwill react with the agent prior to contact with an organism therebyrendering the agent ineffective.

It has been established in antimicrobial activities that salts and otherradicals of heavy metals are rapidly precipitated by extraneous organicor other material and, therefore, while such salts may have an initialcell kill at an initial effective concentration, the effectiveconcentration is rather quickly reduced by combination of the metal withsuch extraneous matter, thereby depleting the amount of toxic metalavailable for biocidal activity. Therefore, while the radicals offer, incertain instances, the property of aqueous solubility and, therefore,allow for the dissociation and availability as toxic metal agents, theymay be rendered ineffective rather quickly such that prolonged orcontrolled destruction or inhibition of bacterial action is unavailable.On the other hand, metal radicals or complexes of organic moieties suchas organic acids or the like possess a degree of dissociation which isnormally not as great in comparison to, for example, highly solubleinorganic salts. Therefore, whereas the metal complexes have a greaterstability or kinetic inertness with respect to extraneous organic matterpresent in the environment of living cells, there is also generally aloss of toxic effect by reason of their higher stability.

Superimposed on this brief background discussion of antimicrobialactivity is the relation of fungus, including bacteria growth to theacidity or alkalinity of the media. conducive to such growth.

Concentrations of hydrogen ions compatible with growth are very low,generally, on the order of about 104 to 109 moles of hydrogen ions perliter. As an example, almost all bacteria will grow at about pH 7.0(1×107 moles hydrogen ion per liter) but thrive best at optimum pH'swhich vary from species to species. The minimum and maximum limitsbetween which viability is possible likewise vary widely with species.The activity, therefore, of an antimicrobial agent in the pH range ofmicrobial viability is a very important consideration in that theactivity determines biocidal efficacy. The target organism can bedetermined to be in a certain pH range and the formulation adjusted.Inert ingredients such as surfactants and detergents act on the walls orstructure of resting spores, for example, or other dormant stages offungi, including but not limited to bacteria, viruses, fungus to weakenthe protective capsule surrounding the otherwise stages of the fungi tothe invention.

In substance, heretofore in the prior art there appear to have been twoextremes made available by antimicrobial metallic compositions. On theone hand, known metal compounds have a high degree of dissociation suchthat metal ions are quickly and copiously made available by virtue ofrapid dissociation with formation of ionized species. These speciesreact so as to saturate all available ligands and are thereby renderedinactivated as to cidal potential in a very narrow time frame, withlittle residual killing power. Thus, they are rendered relativelyineffective as biocidal agents over prolonged periods of time. Otherknown metal compounds are relatively stable and provide minimal amountsof ionized species over the normal physiological pH range, providing,therefore, minimal growth inhibitory or toxic potential, due to the veryminimal degree of dissociation inherent in them.

Metal salts or metal complexes have been used as antimicrobial agents.Representative of prior art patents directed to the use of metal saltsor metal chelates of inorganic or organic compounds as microbiocidalagents include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 871,392; 991,261; 1,620,490; 1,679,919;1,785,472; 2,208,253; 2,269,891; 2,456,727; 2,494,941; 2,655,460;2,878,155; 2,900,303; 2,901,393; 2,938,828; 3,076,834; 3,099,521;3,206,398; 3,240,701; 3,262,846; 3,266,913; 3,681,492; 3,782,471;4,098,602; and 4,952,398.

Of these above listed prior art references, the four (4) most relevantare now to be discussed and distinguished in greater detail. First, U.S.Pat. No. 1,620,490 teaches a composition formed by placing Quick Lime ina mixer or hydrator. The lime is caused to hydrate while copper sulfateis added and a dust is produced. This patent simply discloses thatsilver may be used in place of copper. This patent neither discloses norsuggests the use of silver, copper and/or gold either alone or incombination as in the present invention.

Next, U.S. Pat. No. 2,655,460 discloses a fungicidal compositioncontaining silver. This composition contains diluted dibasic silversalts which are dried and powered. This patent also discloses the use ofcopper as a fungicide. This patent neither discloses nor suggests thecombination of silver, copper and/or gold. This reference also neitherdiscloses nor suggests the use of silver, copper and/or gold eitheralone or in combination as in the presently disclosed invention.

Thirdly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,602 discloses a composition effectiveagainst the growth of algae. The composition includes a combination ofan ammonium quaternary compound and a copper complex. This patentneither discloses nor suggests a composition containing both silver,copper and/or gold. Similarly to the previously mentioned U.S. patentsthis patent also neither discloses nor suggests the use of silver,copper and/or gold either alone or in combination as in the instantinvention. As this patent also neither discloses nor suggests the maininventive features of the instant invention, it is submitted that thepresent invention is patently distinct over this reference.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,398 discloses a biocidal compositioncontaining copper. The composition is used as a treatment for water byproviding increased biocidal activity. The composition is also effectivefor disinfecting animal breeding places and the cleansing of soil. Thecomposition combines a quaternary ammonium compound with copper salt.This patent neither discloses nor suggests a composition containingsilver, copper and/or gold either alone or in combination for thepurposes set forth in the present invention. While these units may besuitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they wouldnot be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention asheretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a composition and method of providingionic forms and/or compounds of any combination of three metals toproduce a product that can be used as a hard surface disinfectant andother antimicrobial uses, such as those defined by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, and as a foliar spray for the controlof various diseases in garden row, field and tree crops, on hard surfaceareas such as equipment into or exiting infected fields or in hospitals,homes, etc. as well as against a wide range of human, plant and animaldiseases. Additionally, the composition of the present invention is ableto be used to disinfect food products such as but not limited to fishand shellfish, meat, milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops (both foodand nonfood crops) as well as water and other non-food products. Thecomposition remains soluble in water and certain other liquids and isefficacious against the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi within asource of water such as a reservoir or pool, for example. Alternatively,the composition may be used in aerosolized, misted, vaporized, fogged,humidified, etc. forms to produce micronized particles which are able toremain in suspension in the air for long periods of time in order to acton air-borne fungal, bacterial, viral, and other spores and/or forms ofpathogens.

The composition is formed from combinations of ionic copper, silverand/or gold and copper, silver and/or gold compounds. The composition isefficacious against a wide variety of viruses, bacteria and fungus andother pathogens which cause numerous diseases in plants, animals andhumans. Furthermore, the composition is able to effectively disinfectplants, animals, humans, products of plants, animals and humans andarticles infected with pathogens.

Ionic copper, ionic silver and ionic gold alone and in any combinationthereof as well as copper, silver and gold compounds alone and in anycombination thereof as in the composition of the present invention havedemonstrated efficacy against a wide range of plant and animal diseases.The composition of the present invention providing inventive andefficacious combinations of ionic copper, ionic silver and ionic goldalone and copper, silver and gold compounds as well as expanding on theuses and methods of application beyond any uses previously contemplated.Studies performed by the inventors involving the composition of thepresent invention suggest a very wide scale of applications given theproper formulations and methods of application. The use of inerts suchas surfactants, detergents, buffers to adjust pH and that stabilize theionic condition will improve the efficacy of the invention.

The composition of the present invention creates an agent composed ofcopper and/or silver and/or gold that for example eradicates Xanthomonascitri, better known as citrus canker. Citrus canker is now mostprevalent in Florida, as well as other places worldwide. Our example hasshown that a close relative accepted by APHIS, USDA (Xanthomonasaxonopodis) was considered an “eradicate” in closely monitored studies.

A significant problem existing at the present time is the generalparanoia regarding Anthrax and botulinum. Anthrax and botulinum arebacteria, as is Xanthomonas. Studies conducted by the inventors of thecomposition demonstrate the efficacy of copper sulfate pentahydrate,such as a solution produced by the Magna Bon Corporation, and thiscompound plus a silver compound against citrus canker, a serious plantdisease of citrus that is caused by a bacteria in the Genus Xanthomonas.The studies conducted on citrus canker achieved a quicker level ofcontrol at a level considered an eradicant than any other of theantimicrobials tested. Anthrax is caused by a bacterium in the GenusBacillus. Based upon the results obtained in studies conducted on citruscanker, it follows that the composition of the present inventionincluding copper sulfate pentahydrate, or a combination of a silvercompound with copper sulfate pentahydrate or a combination of a goldcompound with copper sulfate pentahydrate is effective against Anthrax.The composition of the present invention includes all combinations ofionized copper, silver and gold as well as copper, silver and goldcompounds. Inerts such as surfactants, detergents and buffers may beadded in certain cases to improve efficacy.

The composition of the present invention is able to be produced innumerous forms such as an aerosolized, misted, vaporized, fogged,humidified forms to produce micronized particles which are able toremain in suspension in the air for long periods of time in order to acton air borne fungal spores and/or other pathogens. The composition mayalso be suspended in solution for washing, coating and otherwisedisinfecting food products such as but not limited to fish andshellfish, meat, milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops (both food andnonfood crops) as well as non food products. Additionally, thecomposition may be added to and remain in suspension within sources ofliquid such as reservoirs and pools to disinfect and/or eradicate anypathogens within the source of liquid. The composition of the presentinvention is non-toxic to plants, animals and humans and thus ingestionof a food product which has been washed and/or otherwise treated withthe composition, drinking a liquid containing the composition or bathingin a liquid containing the composition does not cause any adverse sideeffects. Additionally, the composition of the present invention may beformulated in liquid form, formulated into soaps or salves or otherforms which may be used on skin or applied to an area affected by apathogen.

The copper sulfate pentahydrate formulation has been used as aneffective algaecide, bactericide and fungicide for many years. Millionsof pounds of copper are sprayed yearly for various diseases such asmelanose, scab, altemaria and other crop harming diseases.

It is known that the copper must be in a bioactive form for it to workeffectively. Metallic copper is nearly inert. However, it is somewhatwater soluble and minute amounts of ionic copper, as little as 1 ppm isenough to treat the diseases mentioned. Copper has been used incontainer construction of water vessels as early as the Roman era forthat purpose, but not enough available copper ions are present tosignificantly lower the reproduction of pathogens.

Most of the copper used is in powder form, bulky, dusty, heavy an hardto handle. There are also copper products formulated as liquids such ascopper hydroxide. In sum, bioactive copper is used extensively,worldwide for certain applications. The compositions of the presentinvention expand on the uses of copper in ionic form as well as coppercompounds used alone as well as in combination with ionic silver, silvercompounds, ionic gold and gold compounds to uses never beforecontemplated. The ionic silver, silver compounds, ionic gold and goldcompounds each produce an efficacious composition when used alone or inany combination with the above metals.

Review of the literature directed the inventors of the present inventionto explore new approaches. When the inventors of the composition of thepresent invention chemically combined silver with copper, a synergisticeffect was produced, and the resulting compound becomes a far morepowerful disease killer than existing copper based products. This factwas borne when two products made with the herein disclosed compositionwere tested against Citrus Canker in a study entitled “A SCREENINGEVALUATION OF ONE PRODUCT FOR ITS ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES WHENCHALLENGED WITH ONE MICRORGANISM STRAIN”. This study was performed byBio Science Labs, (See Protocol #000803, infra.).

Lot #1, which contained ionic copper, diluted to a concentration of 15ppm copper, killed Xanthomonas axonopodis at the rate of 37% in oneminute.

Lot #2, containing a 9:1 ratio of 15 ppm copper and 150 ppb of silver,killed 97% of the Xanthomonas axonopodis in one minute.

Clearly, the addition of silver to the composition enhanced the diseasekilling power of the copper composition. Experimentation by the presentinventors indicate a ratio of 9:1 copper:silver as being idealcombination of metals. However, ratios from between 32:1 and 1:1copper:silver may be used and effective for purposes of the presentinvention and dependent upon the intended use of the composition.Protocol # 00803 Preliminary Data In-Vitro Time-Kill EvaluationXanthomonas Axonopodis USDA # 46190 Product Concentration Exposure Log10 Percent Product and Lot# (v/v) Time' Reduction Reduction Magna-Bon99% 1 minute >5.9004 99.9999% Pro-Teck Plus, 5 minutes >5.9004 99.9999%60 ppm copper 10 minutes >5.9004 99.9999% with 600 ppb silver 30minutes >5.9004 99.9999% lot = #000216F 60 minutes >5.9004 99.9999%

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Evaluation Xanthomonas axonopodisUSDA # 46190 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Product and Lot #(Product Dilution) Magna-Bon Pro-Teck Plus, 60 ppm copper with <1:4 600ppb silver lot # 000216F

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention is to providea composition that will eradicate and/or control pathogens and be usedas a fungicide, bacteriacide, germicide or virucide in killingmicroorganisms.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an enhancedantimicrobial composition and method for its production, that can beused to against a wide range of human, plant and animal diseases as wellas minimize the growth and spread of diseases and slimicides, etc. inplants and plant surfaces.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide anenhanced antimicrobial composition and method for its production thatcan be used to purify water.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide anantibacterial composition which can be used to disinfect and/oreradicate bacteria such as Anthrax, botulinum, Xanthomonas citri, betterknown as Citrus Canker as well as other fungi, bacterium and viruses.

A still further object is to provide a surface disinfectant forhospitals, homes and other areas that require hard surfacedisinfectants.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anantibacterial composition which can be used as a bacteriostatic orgrowth inhibitor to microorganisms.

A still further object is to develop a product to be used on plants fordisease control.

A yet further object of the present invention is to be combined withwater supplies such as a reservoir or pool or bottle or otherwisecontainer water for eliminating bacteria within a water supply.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide acomposition able to remain in suspension for use in coating or otherwisetreating food products such as but not limited to fish and shellfish,meat, milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops (both food and nonfoodcrops) as well as non food products to coat or otherwise treat theproduct and eliminate any bacteria on or within the food product therebyminimizing pathogens resulting from ingestion or inhalation of pathogensor dermal contact of the food product and coating the food product toincrease the shelflife of the food product by elimination of pathogensand/or storage fungus.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide acomposition which is safe to man, animals, plants and articles infectedwith pathogens as well as safe for the environment.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide acomposition which is easy to handle and store, has excellent storagestability and is not corrosive to machinery, etc. made of metal orplastic and other materials used in manufacturing, or other processes incommerce.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide acomposition able to be produced in at least one of an aerosolized,misted, vaporized, fogged, humidified forms to produce micronizedparticles which are able to remain in suspension in the air for longperiods of time in order to act on and eradicate or disinfect air-bornefungal spores and/or other pathogens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition thatis simple and easy to use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide acomposition that is economical in cost to manufacture.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description and examples of a preferred embodiment of theherein disclosed and claimed in the antimicrobial composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a combination of a copper, silver andgold in ionic form and compounds thereof and other radicals incombinations. When such combinations are combined in specific ratios,the combination is able to remain in a solution, wherein the solutionremains in ionic form. Surfactants, detergents and/or buffering agentsmay be added to the composition to adjust the pH.

The inventors of the present invention petitioned and received anexemption from tolerance for copper sulfate pentahydrate from the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for food uses of the product onplants and animals. The exemption provides for a broad pattern of usesfor disease control of plants and animals. Therefore the utility of thecomposition of the present invention will provide for use of the productin virtually all settings. However, other uses are disclosed herein forthe composition of the present invention.

Anthrax, Botulinum, and other human and animal diseases (pathogens) haveseveral modes of introduction into humans and animals, including dermal(through the skin, etc.), ingestion and inhalation.

Ingestion

The composition of the present invention is effective against pathogensin water and can be used at rates that are effective against Anthrax,Botulinum and other human and other animal pathogens. It is known thatpost harvest drenches of the product on fruits, vegetables, animalby-products, milk, eggs, poultry and other articles named in theexemption from tolerance will greatly reduce or eliminate pathogens. Thecompositions of the present invention are capable of eliminating thethreat of Anthrax and Botulinum and other pathogens threatening humansand animals.

The product is also effective in reducing and/or eliminating pathogensthat result during storage and handling offish, shellfish, poultry, meatproducts of cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals. Rinsing, dippingand/or washing and other means of treatment of the animal productsprovides control and/or elimination of pathogens that affect humansand/or other animals. The compositions of the present invention areeffective in controlling and/or eliminating pathogens such as Anthraxand/or Botulinum and other diseases or pathogens including protozoans,etc. of importance to human and animal health when used in a similarmanner.

The composition is also effective in controlling and/or eliminatingstorage pathogens in liquids such as, but not limited to, water, juices,milk, etc. The composition, when used to wash and coat and other meansof treatment food and non food products greatly extends the shelf lifeof these liquids by eliminating the storage diseases while not affectingthe food and nonfood products.

In addition, several other uses for the composition include applicationto plants and/or animal by-products, water and milk and milkby-products, juices and other liquids used in man and animal diets. Suchuse patterns and formulations include use directly or indirectly onhumans and/or other animals and/or plants.

Inhalation

The composition can be used in aerosolized, misted, vaporized, fogged,humidified or other forms used to produce micronized particles of thecomposition that can remain in suspension in the air for long periods oftime. The micronized particles act much like a fumigant to provide totalcoverage to all sides of a surface that may be infected with pathogens.In any of these forms, the composition is able to intercept fungi(including bacteria, fungus, virus), spores and/or resting (dormant)stages of the pathogen in the air. The composition prompts the pathogento vegetate and/or otherwise vitalize the dormant stage of the pathogenand the formulation as defined by itself or in combinations with othercomponents of a formulation capable of killing the vegetative stageand/or spores and/or resting spores and/or resting stage of the pathogenby contact and/or action of the total formulation on the pathogen.

The formulation of the composition includes inert ingredients such as,but not limited to surfactants, detergents or semiochemicals that affectthe dormant stage by acting on the cell walls or structure of thepathogen allowing the composition to kill the most resistant life stageof the pathogen. For example, the cell walls of bacteria and otherfungal spore are hydrophilic (attract and absorb water). A micronizedmist contains water and thus, is attracted to the structure of thefungus. The Bacillus wall is compromised by the use of surfactants,detergents and/or semiochemicals and the composition of the presentinvention is then able to kill the bacteria. If the bacteria spore orresting spores are coated, the material (such as a gelatin) used in thecoating is usually hydrophilic. Again, the coating of the resting sporeand/or the cell wall of the bacterium is compromised by the mistcontaining the formulation allowing the composition of the presentinvention to kill the bacterium.

In addition, certain compounds such as ethylene gas prompt vegetativestages such as seeds to germinate and such compounds can be added to thetotal formulation to force the resting stages of pathogens to vegetate.Semiochemicals such as growth enhancing products that induce germinationmay also be used in a custom made formulation for any particular usepattern against the target pathogen.

The micronized particle use pattern can be used in any situation whereair-borne pathogenic fungal spores and/or other vegetative orreproductive stages of pathogens are present. The composition of thepresent invention is thus able to be used to eradicate highly refinedAnthrax, Botulinum and other animal and plant air-borne pathogens.

Dermal

Many pathogens, including Anthrax, enter a body or organism through cutsand/or abrasions on the skin. The product and/or other productsmentioned in this disclosure can be utilized in liquid form, formulatedinto soaps or in salves or other forms used on skin that can be appliedto the affected area. The mode of action of the pathogen is the same asdiscussed above with respect to the other modes of action (ingestion andinhalation). Preliminary efficacy studies of the composition of thepresent invention indicate efficacy on cuts and abrasions using salvesand liquid products. Theoretically, the pathogen is eliminated from thedermal abrasion or cut and a protective barrier aids in the protectionof the wound. Again, inerts in the formulation aid in destroying theintegrity of the dormant stage protective barrier.

Anthrax is most potent as a dermal substance when the dermis of thehuman or animal is compromised. The bacteria become established when theresting spore becomes active (vegetates). The bacteria then enter thebody and are transported throughout the bloodstream. The systemic actionin the vascular system can be prevented at a point of entry by use ofthe product and/or other product combinations.

Summary

Using the composition of the present invention, the threat of infectionby pathogens such as Anthrax and/or Botulinum and other pathogensthrough routes into the human and/or animal systems by the dermal,ingestion and inhalation route of entry is greatly decreased. Thecomposition of the present invention is able to be also used as apreventative measure to decrease the possibility of infection bypathogens. Plant pathogens are mitigated in the same manner.

Ingestion

Plant and animal products can be disinfected using the formulationspreviously discussed prior to ingestion by humans and/or animals. Thisincludes treatment of post-harvest fruits and vegetables, treatment ofanimal by-products, fish and shellfish, etc. as defined in the exemptionfrom tolerance. The treatment includes washing or soaking or other meansof treatment of the food product in the liquid state in which thecomposition is suspended. Water and other liquids can also be treated toeliminate pathogens by addition of the composition thereto.

Inhalation

The formulation can be applied in micronized-sized particles that canintercept and mitigate air-borne particles of pathogens prior to thepathogen being inhaled. The cell walls of many pathogens such as Anthraxand Botulinum are hydrophilic and in any coating that is used to producea “refined” product, the cells are most certainly hydrophilic. Theaqueous formulation with or without additives act on cell walls and/orcoatings thereby compromising the cell. Certain compounds such assurfactants and/or detergents can be added to aid the vegetation ofresting spores or other stages of the pathogen. Once the cell iscompromised, the composition of the present invention is able to actthereon causing death thereto. A reason Anthrax or other bacteriaactivates is that the spores hit the mucous membrane in the nose,throat, etc. and vegetate leading to spread throughout the body. Bycompromising the coating and/or cell wall, the composition of thepresent invention is able to kill the bacteria before the spores areable to vegetate within a body.

Dermal

A primary route of entry of bacteria such as Botulinum and Anthrax andother pathogens into the body is through skin abrasions and/or cuts,mucous membranes on the eyes, etc. The composition of the presentinvention alone or in an aqueous or other formulation and used as aliquid, paste or in other dermal products is effective against Anthraxand/or other pathogens that may enter man or other animals by the dermalroute.

The principle involved in the above example can be utilized for controland/or eradication of pathogens in both plants and animals using theproduct and/or other products discussed in this patent disclosure.

The composition of the present invention is also effective ineradicating and/or disinfection of numerous types of bacterium.Experiments performed on citrus canker using the composition of thepresent invention will be discussed hereinafter to illustrate itsefficacy against viruses, bacterium, fungus and other pathogens.Standard methods of application for citrus canker include, but are notlimited to treatment of the plants with copper sulfate pentahydrate,such as that produced by the Magn Bon Corporation, (product) and acombination of the product plus a silver product for treatment of the“articles” (equipment, persons, crating, etc. containing citrus fruit)and a combination of the product plus a gold product for treatment ofthe “articles” (equipment, persons, crating, etc. containing citrusfruit) entering and leaving the infested area and treatment of thecitrus fruit after harvest. The composition of the present inventiondoes not cause phytotoxicity at rates effective in virtually eliminating(eradicating) the Xanthomonas bacterial disease from the plants orfruits. The product does not attack rubber, soft plastics or corrodeexposed metals as other products used for the same purpose do now. Theproduct is environmentally acceptable and non-toxic to humans and otheranimals.

Work done with the composition of the instant invention showed that apreferred ratio of copper:silver is 9:1 for use against citrus canker.However, any ratio within the range of ratios from 1:I to 32:1copper:silver is efficacious against not only citrus canker but allother pathogens mentioned herein. In order to obtain the desired 9:1ratio or variable ratios thereof according to the method of forming thecomposition of the present invention two ingots are cast at the presenttime.

When preparing the composition containing a combination of copper,silver and/or gold, the first step is to select two (2) ingots, each ofwhich is to have a composition based upon the desired ratio of copper:silver/gold. When preparing a composition having a 9:1 copper:silverratio, two ingots having a composition of 90% copper and 10% silver areselected. Alternatively, gold may be used in place of or in addition tosilver in similar ratios. When preparing the composition having adifferent ratio, appropriate amounts of copper, silver and gold areused. The two ingots are then placed in a special chamber and wires areattached to a direct current source thereby making one ingot a positiveelectrode and the other a negative electrode. These electrodes are thenplaced in a second special chamber containing water, to which an electroconductive media has been added. The water including the electroconductive media is pumped past the electrodes. As the positive ionsmove from the positive to the negative, and negative ions move from thenegative to the positive, the resulting copper/silver ions are sweptaway by the water and remain in solution.

Presently it is known that after a period of approximately 3˜-4 hoursfor 1000 gallons if the total dissolved solid (TDS) is correct for theamount of water, as the water in the second chamber is recycled over andover past the recycled electrified ingots, the water will reach thedesired ratio. Once the desired copper/silver ratio is reached accordingto specifications, removal of any of the resulting copper/silver productfrom the electrified chamber normally requires additional time to“recharge” the water to its original concentration ofcopper/silver/gold. This timely and costly method is presently used incooling towers, swimming pools, hot water systems, etc. The method offorming the composition of the present invention obviates the abovedrawbacks.

By way of example, consider a pool contains 60,000 gallons of water, andhas been treated as described above using the above discussed ingotshaving a composition of 90% copper and 10% silver, until the water, whentested, contains 1 ppm of copper and 100 ppb of silver. After the wateris heated so as to evaporate 59,999 gallons of the water, the resulting1 gallon of water will contain 9 ounces of copper metal and 1 ounce ofsilver metal.

This concentration of copper to silver can then be diluted to obtain anydesired ppm of copper/silver. If one pours one gallon of theconcentrate, 9 ounces Cu and 1 ounce Ag, into 59,999 gallons of water,the resulting mix would be 1 ppm copper and 100 ppb silver. If the 1gallon of concentrate is then placed in 999 gallons of water, thediluted product when tested, would reveal a 9:1 ratio of copper/silverthat is 60 ppm copper and 600 ppb silver.

This method of producing the composition obtains the desiredconcentration. However, this process is costly and time consuming.Alternatively, the present invention provides for overcoming thesedrawbacks by way of a method which results in the manufacture of aneffective antimicrobial composition without heat, but by a chemicallyreactive method.

An exemplary composition for making one gallon of concentrate involvespreparing a mix, under agitation, of the following ingredients:

103 ounces of water (H20);

14 ounces of Sorbetrol (H2S04+(NH3)2S04);

1 ounce of Tetrasilvertetraoxide (Ag404);

2 pounds of Copper Sulfate (CuS04H20), in that order.

The amounts of Tetrasilvertetraoxide and Copper Sulfate listed aboveproduce a composition containing a 9:1 ratio of copper:silver.Alternatively, any amounts of copper to silver may be used which wouldproduce ratios of copper: silver from between 32:1 to 1:1. in additionamounts of silver may be replaced or supplemented with gold to produce aratio of copper:silver/gold of anywhere between 32:1 to 1:1.

When one gallon of concentrate composition, manufactured as describedabove, was diluted to 60 ppm copper and 600 ppb silver, and testedagainst XANTHOMONAS AXONOPODIS, a surrogate of citrus canker, theharmful bacteria was 99.9999% killed in thirty (30) seconds.

The composition is safe and benign to humans and animals when diluted toa 1:1000 ratio. When the diluted composition is concentrated for use,the ratio of copper to silver and/or gold always returns to the desiredratio. The composition has a major deliterious effect on garden, row,field and tree crop microbes as well as use as an antimicrobial,including but not limited to those as defined by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, with such uses as a hard surface disinfectant andother uses such as water purification.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above.

Since the invention is described with reference to a preferredembodiment and pointed out in the annexed claims, and since numerousmodifications and changes may become readily apparent to those skilledin the art after reading this disclosure, it should be understood thatwe do not wish to limit the scope of the overall invention to the exactcomposition, or method of making same, described above and claimedbelow, since it will be understood that various omissions,modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of theinvention and in its application can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. An antimicrobial composition for eradicating and/or controllingpathogens comprising: a combination of at least one of copper, silverand gold.
 2. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1, furthercomprising inert ingredients for adjusting pH of said composition. 3.The antimicrobial composition of claim 2, wherein said inert ingredientsinclude at least one of surfactants, detergents and buffers.
 4. Theantimicrobial composition of claim 1, wherein said at least of copper,silver and/or gold is in ionic form.
 5. The antimicrobial composition ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one of copper, silver and/or gold is incompound form.
 6. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1, wherein saidat least of copper, silver and/or gold is in any combination of ionicand compound form.
 7. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1, whereinthe ratio of copper to silver and/or gold is between 1:1 and 32:1. 8.The antimicrobial composition of claim 7, wherein the ratio of copper tosilver and/or gold remains at a desired ration whether the compositionis diluted or concentrated.
 9. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1,wherein the composition is in one of an aerosolized, misted, vaporized,fogged, humidified forms thereby producing aerosol particles which areable to remain in suspension in the air for long periods of time inorder to act on and eradicate or disinfect air-borne microbials and/orother pathogens in all stages.
 10. The antimicrobial composition ofclaim 1, wherein the composition forms a solution when diluted in aliquid whereby the composition is able to remain in suspension whendiluted thereby purifying the liquid.
 11. The antimicrobial compositionof claim 10, wherein the solution is able to coat and/or otherwise treatfood and non-food products including at least fish, shellfish, meat,milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops washed or soaked therein,thereby coating or otherwise treating the product and eliminating anybacteria on or within the food product in order to minimize pathogensresulting from ingestion of the food product and increase the shelf lifeof the food product.
 12. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1,wherein the composition is in one of a liquid soap, salve or other formable to be applied to a surface affected by a pathogen. 13-34.(canceled)